CAIRO (Reuters) – Arab uprisings against unpopular Western-backed rulers have undercut the arguments of some Western intellectuals about passive populations who are not prepared to fight for democracy.

During the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, neoconservative cheerleaders for war who had direct access to Western policymakers said force was the only way to take down Arab dictators. A minority of Arab intellectuals agreed with them.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Arab uprisings against unpopular Western-backed rulers have undercut the arguments of some Western intellectuals about passive populations who are not prepared to fight for democracy.

During the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, neoconservative cheerleaders for war who had direct access to Western policymakers said force was the only way to take down Arab dictators. A minority of Arab intellectuals agreed with them.

CAIRO, Feb 15 (Reuters) – The revolution on the streets of
Egypt has been matched by a revolution in media that was one of
the pillars of Hosni Mubarak’s authoritarian rule.

Immediately upon his fall from power last Friday, Egypt’s
main state-owned dailies turned against Mubarak, proclaimed the
victory of the revolution and launched into apologetics for
their coverage of an uprising that started on Jan. 25.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s military said on Tuesday it hoped to hand over to an elected government in six months, but the Muslim Brotherhood said ending emergency law and freeing political prisoners would build a “bridge of confidence”.

Rumours swirled about Hosni Mubarak’s health. Saudi-owned Asharq al-Awsat newspaper said it was deteriorating and the deposed president had refused to go abroad for treatment.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s new military rulers said on Tuesday they hoped to hand power over to an elected civilian leadership within six months and that they had no desire to keep control following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak.

The remarks carried on the state agency were the clearest indication since Mubarak was forced to resign on Friday that the high command was committed to a brief timeframe for meeting the demands of pro-democracy protesters for a new start.

CAIRO (Reuters) – An Egyptian businessman, who was a top official in Hosni Mubarak’s party and now being investigated for corruption, praised youth activists who ousted the president and said the old ruling party could be revived.

Ahmed Ezz, who denied charges of misusing public money, told Al Arabiya television that the National Democratic Party (NDP) would remain a major player in Egyptian politics and said he had no regrets over things he did in public life.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s ruling Higher Military Council hopes constitutional amendments can be drafted soon and put to a referendum within two months, paving the way for elections, council members have told youth activists.

Wael Ghonim said on his Facebook page that he and seven other activists involved in protests that toppled Hosni Mubarak last week met two members of the council on Sunday evening.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egypt’s generals are asserting their command over the country following the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak, preparing on Monday to ban strikes and to warn they will act against “chaos and disorder.”

Having suspended the constitution and dissolved parliament on Sunday, moves welcomed by those who saw both institutions as perverted to Mubarak’s personal ends, the armed forces council was planning, a military source said, to issue orders intended to stifle further disruption and get the country back to work.

CAIRO, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Egyptians woke to a new dawn on
Saturday after 30 years of autocratic rule under Hosni Mubarak,
full of hope after achieving almost unthinkable change, with the
army in charge and an uncertain future ahead.

As the muezzin’s call to prayer reverberated across Cairo,
the sound of horns honking in jubilation grew louder after a
night when millions across the Arab world’s most populous nation
joyfully celebrated the fall of the president.

CAIRO (Reuters) – Egyptians in their millions danced and partied through the night on Saturday, celebrating the fall of the man who ruled like a pharaoh for 30 years and hoping their army will grant them democracy now Hosni Mubarak is gone.

With intoxicating speed a wave of people power has roared across the biggest Arab nation, just four weeks after Tunisians toppled their own ageing strongman. Now, across the Middle East, autocratic rulers are calculating their own chances of survival.